tseliot's The UnDisgusting Split Pea Soup Recipe (for bibliosylph)

In honor of our Hizzy mini-con last night, I have finally chosen a recipe to post, which is unrelated to any of the recipes I said I might post.

• 2 TB olive oil
• 1/2 lb. smoked ham, chopped*
• 4 medium leeks
• 1 c. ea. celery, sliced mushrooms, & sliced carrot [I also use onion]
• 6 cloves garlic
• fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 4 qts. beef or chicken broth*
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 1/2 c. split peas
• 3/4 - 1 c. barley (less if you like it thinner, more if y.l.i. thick)

*poss. sub. for these two ingredients: a day ahead, simmer a meaty ham bone in 4 qts. water for about 2 hrs. Remove bone and chill stock overnight. The next day, remove layer of fat from stock and remove all meat from the bone and return meat to stock before continuing with recipe.

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat until hot. [Add ham and saute' until brown, c. 3 m.]
2. Stir in leeks, carrots, celery, mushrooms [and onion if using] and saute' until tender, c. 7 m. Add garlic and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 m.
3. Add broth [with ham in it if you followed sub. plan] and bay leaves.

Bring mixture to a boil. Add split peas/barley and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until barley and peas are tender (but not dissolving, bibliosylph!), about 45 minutes or so. Remove bay leaves (duh) and serve.